By Sarah Saad
Egypt inaugurated its first centre for data and cloud computing. The centre is one of the most prestigious technology centres in the region.
The data centre and cloud computing are the essence of digital transformation and one of the most important pillars on which the global economy is currently based. It has added new horizons for entrepreneurship in all fields and industries, providing new opportunities to combine several fields in one work environment.
The establishment of data centres was meant to consolidate Egypt’s position as a digital corridor for data transfer due to its geographical location and leadership of the data centre markets in the Middle East and Africa.
In 2023, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi directed the start of establishing the Data and Cloud Computing Centre (DCCC) as the first centre to provide services (analysis and processing of big data – artificial intelligence) in Egypt and North Africa according to the latest international technologies.
The Egyptian Gazette visited the centre and spoke with the engineers and those responsible for the centre to find out what the centre offers and its importance to the citizen as well as to investors.
Local and international companies
Amr Farouk, who is responsible for the data centre and cloud computing, said that the centre was established with the participation of more than 15 local and international companies, and more than 1,200 engineers and workers, with a work capacity exceeding 5,000 working hours, on an area of 23,500 square metres.
Artificial intelligence applications
The official in charge of the Centre added in a special statement to The Egyptian Gazette that the Centre consists of the administration, operation and insurance building, cloud computing equipment, a hall for technical solutions and artificial intelligence applications, and an interchange control center for the National Emergency Network.
Meaning of cloud computing
Gaber Madbouly, one of the officials of the Cloud Computing Centre, confirms that in light of the rapid technological development and the era of Big Data and artificial intelligence, we live in the era of data and information, where we, as individuals, institutions, ministries, bodies, companies, banks, and various sectors, keep all information on computers and smartphones, and we enhance their storage space by purchasing space on what is called cyberspace or cloud computers. They are technological devices that have complex capabilities that can absorb a huge amount of information and enable individuals, commercial institutions, and even countries and various devices to retrieve data at any time, the most famous of which in the world are Amazon, ICloud, Google, Huawei.
He also explained that the Cloud Computing Centre is an integrated project for the National Public Safety Network, working to develop and support digital transformation and develop strategic planning for various government agencies, the private sector and investment.
An icon for the Middle East and North Africa
He pointed out that the centre is an icon for the Middle East and North Africa, and is one of the most modern centers in the world, noting that the center has the ability to collect data and analyse it electronically, to come up with conclusions and several alternatives for the decision maker, clarifying the advantages and disadvantages of each decision, and the proposed and likely scenarios to support decision makers using artificial intelligence technologies, based on fully secured data and information.
The goal of establishing the centre
Haitham Amer, another official at the Cloud Computing Center, indicated that the centre works to provide critical applications, payments, and applications related to artificial intelligence and big data analysis for decision-making at all levels.
He explained that the use of cloud computing technology, artificial intelligence, and big data in analysing government data, and working as a unified national center for disaster recovery data, in addition to localising the use of artificial intelligence technology in the government and private sectors, providing all accurate data to government agencies, and analysing big data for government agencies.
He said the centre provides self-management and operation, in addition to preserving Egyptian privacy in managing and operating smart city and smart port projects that help facilitate import and export movement.
Models for services offered to citizens and investors
Khaled Abdel Hadi, one of the officials of the Cloud Computing Centre, reviewed the services provided to some government agencies in a number of sectors, including the health sector, such as implementing a unified medical file for patients, implementing the health information system and centrally managing hospitals to facilitate the circulation of patients within hospitals, and receiving automated reports (CAD). Also, the automation of ambulances to improve the ambulance services provided to citizens by following the behavior of drivers and paramedics using cameras to identify wrong behavior and sending them immediately automatically to the central operating room.
He also referred to the services provided to the Ministry of Justice by facilitating litigation procedures and transforming economic and civil courts into smart courts, in addition to the future vision of benefiting from the data center and cloud computing (P1) through smart cities by improving city management capabilities and public service levels.
This is evident in what currently, the administration of the Financial and Business District in the New Administrative Capital is working to improve the capabilities of the civil administration and levels of public service and build a national video network to reduce the rate of crime and traffic accidents, as well as crisis and emergency management by improving national capabilities to respond to emergencies and reduce losses, which means technical returns. And the financial expected from making the investment part available in order to stimulate economic growth, provide job opportunities, enhance innovation in the local technology industry, and provide the financial costs necessary for maintenance and operation work.
He stressed that Abu Qir Port is the first smart port in Egypt, and now work is underway to transform Ain Sokhna Port into a smart port, which will facilitate investors in export and import operations and save money, time and effort, which means stimulating more investment opportunities and trade exchange, as well as providing all sidewalk management software in accordance with international standards.
